Evaluating Campus Security Following California Hostage Situation

Evaluating Campus Security Following California Hostage Situation

The standard campus entry policy at the front desk did not deter him.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Nov 06, 2017

An elementary school in California was evacuated last Tuesday after an upset parent barged onto campus and held a first-grade teacher hostage for more than six hours. The standard campus entry policy at the front desk did not deter him, witnesses said, and the situation was brought to a close when a police SWAT team entered the school and shot him.

The parent, Luvelle Kennon, entered the front office at Castle View Elementary School and was “probably the most upset parent I’ve had,” said Stephanie Zolfaghari, the principal’s secretary. She would not allow Kennon to follow the standard safety policy of signing in and getting an identification badge, but he forced his way in anyway, entering the campus through an unlocked glass door as Zolfaghari called for a lockdown.

District spokesman Justin Grayson said the door was unlocked all day because it is the only point of campus entry, both allowing parents to enter the school and students to enter the office.

In addition, no school district police officers were on campus at the time. According to Riverside Police Department spokesman Ryan Railsback, Riverside United has eight School Resource Officers, each of whom is assigned to one of the district’s nine high schools as well as its associated middle schools and feeder elementary schools. Officers travel between their assigned schools as needed but spend most of their time at the high schools.

Though the district declined to comment on security procedures, Riverside United school board vice-president Patricia Lock-Dawson said they will be “reviewing the events in the days to come.” Grayson said that officials are not prepared yet to discuss any upgrades to campus security.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.